Pakistan govt, TTP agree on indefinite ceasefire

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): An indefinite ceasefire has been agreed between Islamabad and the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a media report said on Tuesday.

In a breakthrough, the two sides also agreed to continue talks on how to eradicate militancy from the tribal border region Dawn reported.

“The extension in the ceasefire, which was to end last night, indicates significant progress in talks between the two sides in Kabul,” the newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying.

Earlier, representatives of the two sides separately met Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

At the meetings in Kabul, the report said, the Taliban premier desired indefinite continuation of peace negotiations and the ceasefire.

The two sides agreed at a subsequent meeting to extend the truce indefinitely and continue with talks on ending the conflict.

According to the newspaper, the release of prisoners, pardon for two key TTP commanders and compensation for the dead and wounded came up for discussion.

The TTP was told about impediments to the military withdrawal from border areas and reversal of the region’s merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The disbandment of the TTP is another make-or-break issue. The government delegation has made it plain that no armed group would be allowed to enter Pakistan territory.”

A jirga involving noted tribal elders is expected to take place in Kabul In the second week of June.

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